THE sport of kings can sometimes test the patience and loyalty of its most ardent fans. Today was such a day. The end of the Cheltenham Open Meeting ended in genuine heartbreak and tears with the death of the beautiful grey Simonsig. Excruciatingly, it came just two hours after his trainer Nicky Henderson had openly …[Read More]
A WORD about Sprinter Sacre…. Racing needs its superstars. They don’t come along too often but there was a glorious period in 2012 when both Frankel and Sprinter Sacre were at the top of their game. Two equine superstars in their pomp at the same time. We were truly blessed and racing even gatecrashed the …[Read More]
I’M relieved Sprinter Sacre has been scratched from the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Yes, the Cheltenham Festival may have lost its finest creature and the sport its biggest PR figurehead, but I wasn’t looking forward to biting my fingernails and desperately hoping his heart problem would not return. The horse isn’t right and he is …[Read More]
SIRE De Grugy finally looked like a Cheltenham Festival winner in waiting at Ascot on Saturday. His leap at the third last was memorable and the way he scythed through the heavy ground to ease clear of Hidden Cyclone was one of the most impressive sights of this Jumps season so far. If the BetVictor …[Read More]
The Cheltenham Festival kicks off 10 weeks tomorrow and the excellent Christmas racing has had a shuddering effect on the ante-post markets. But the brilliant performances of Silviniaco Conti, My Tent Or Yours, Bobs Worth and Hurricane Fly were all overshadowed by the plight of the great Sprinter Sacre. The irregular heartbeat that caused him …[Read More]
LAST year’s Lexus Chase was, for me, THE race of the National Hunt season. Tidal Bay’s dramatic late lunge between Flemenstar and First Lieutenant was a remarkable performance and a ride of legendary proportions by Ruby Walsh. This year’s Lexus has something to live up to but connections of Bobs Worth are hoping it will …[Read More]
DAY one wasn’t bad, was it? The highlights? The site of little Hurricane Fly tearing up the hill lifted the heart. The way Quevega cut through the pack like a knife through butter made the hairs on my neck spring to attention. And the maturity of young Brendan Powell’s ride on Golden Chieftain was incredible. …[Read More]
WHEN the big freeze sinks its teeth into the racing calendar and leaves us bereft of quality action, those of us who love this sport have no idea what to do with ourselves. It is why there is a desperation that this weekend’s Cheltenham Festival Trials Day beats the weather, whether it be tomorrow or …[Read More]
by JACK MILNER, BetVictor The Victor Chandler Chase is a Grade 1 contest with a rich history, and is seen as a prelude to crowning the winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. As such, it seems very apt that the heir apparent Sprinter Sacre is in the field. He will win and it’s only …[Read More]
FAIR play to big race sponsors BetVictor who have opened a market on the Victor Chandler Chase on Saturday WITHOUT the mighty Sprinter Sacre. They have made SANCTUAIRE (pictured left) their 5/4 favourite without Nicky Henderson’s hotpot. Bookies face a real challenge to stoke up betting interest with such a warm favourite in the field, so …[Read More]
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